Tag Archives: Sway

Blimey! The Anchor, a go-to spot on the West Spring Street strip, is taking itself seriously … I think. Anchor buckos Gunther Bilali and Jason LaGarenne are obsessed with obtaining an anchor off Blackbeard the Pirate’s sunken vessel, Queen Anne’s Revenge. They’re willing to put their treasure chest where their mouth is and spend a million bucks to obtain it. Blackbeard, a notorious scalawag and Scourge of the Seven Seas, has been the subject of many books and films. After a couple of Yo-Ho-Ho’s he grounded Queen Anne’s Revenge off the coast of North Carolina in 1718. It was found, yep, down in Davy Jones’ Locker, in 1996, and 16,000-plus artifacts have been recovered from it, including the small anchor. This anchor was retrieved by a group of students last year. A larger one remains and has the Anchor Bar salivating for it. “We were all disappointed they couldn’t retrieve the bigger anchor, then we saw an opportunity for an incredible showpiece for the bar,” commented The Anchor Bar’s co-owner Jason LaGerenne. “We’re going to have to jump through some hoops, but I think our patrons will think it’s cool to Instagram.” Unless North Carolina has them walking the plank.

The State of North Carolina got wind of Anchor Bar’s attempt and said ahoy and then no way, we’re gonna blow these men down … maybe. The anchor in question is massive, at 13 feet by 8 feet. Anchor Bar wants it. A letter from the Attorney General of North Carolina, acting as any good landlubber would, laid down the law for our hearties, but before anyone could say Shiver me Timbers, Arghhh! or even Aye! a parlay, a possible compromise dependent on a "charitable contribution," was suggested. Maybe Anchor Bar and the State of North Carolina could be mateys! Will the good fellows of Anchor Bar heed this warning or, in the spirit of Blackbeard the Pirate, plunder the damn thing? I think Blackbeard would want it that way but alas, dead men tell no tales. I asked Anchor Bar owner Gunther Bilali to give us the scoop.

Blackbeard’s anchor … Who came up with this idea and how did they get anyone to take it seriously?

The prospect of acquiring the Blackbeard anchor was really the brainchild of my partner Jason LaGarenne, who’s a boat fanatic. Every time he comes back from the Hamptons he tells me we need a "real Anchor… a serious anchor." So when we started reading about the recovery of Queen Anne’s Revenge, we were fixated.

Do you feel threatened that you got a letter from the State of North Carolina?

We actually thought it was funny that the Attorney General took the effort to send a formal cease and desist letter! However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of their letter, they basically say that they are open to a charitable donation to support an excavation. We are going to re-approach and see if they’d consider loaning us one of the anchors as a consideration. We understand we can’t permanently hold it now, but I think there’s a gray area on a loaner.

The Anchor is … well, along with Ear Inn, the anchor of the neighborhood that once had Don Hill’s. I guess Sway is still there but different than in the Nur days. Has Anchor Bar changed with West Spring Street or is reliability in the brand a driving factor?

West SoHo is a funny area. Yeah, you’ve had venues like Don Hill’s come and go. I think there’s a mystique to the area that has the right combination of excitement and seediness. A certain kind of reveler likes the hideaway feel of this stretch.

This anchor thing will cost a million bucks. Is it worth a million bucks in publicity? At this point you’re getting that publicity without the outlay of loot. Are you that smart?

Plenty of venues spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on artwork, paint jobs, banquettes, and bars that age poorly within a year. You know this, Steve. I genuinely believe the Blackbeard anchor would be a priceless acquisition.

What else do you giuys have going on? If you say Captain Kidd’s anchor I’m outta here!

We’re starting off a cool event series with Travis Bass and the crew at Kanon (vodka) which should be pretty sick. We’re also going to launching a nautical drink program involving old-timey coolers and house-made mixers. We will also have lobster rolls on premise through the summer through a Luke’s Lobster pop-up we’re launching this month.

On a related note, on Tuesday June 12, Sailor Jerry Rum will celebrate Sailor Jerry Day, commemorating the day renowned tattoo visionary Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins passed. He’ be 101 years old. There will be 101 free anchor tattoos done right at 3 Kings Tattoos and a party at Matchless right across the road. Almost all the people I know in Williamsburg are sporting some Sailor Jerry flash, including me. It’s almost a rule or requirement to live here. I’ll be there.

It’s 10:30 on a Wednesday night and I’m in gym clothes crossing Union Square wondering if I’ve anything good left on TiVo when I first hear them. “Let’s just get drinks here,” a California blond squeals to her fellow interns, a group of smiley, freshly implanted college girls. “This part of the city is amazing—there are so many places to go!” Suddenly I feel refreshed, the soggy, angry heat evaporating around me. I immediately recall those same, remarkable feelings of excitement when I was new to this city: every step was one outside my comfort zone, and the possibilities were endless—the night was a mystery. Now, since I’ve settled into the groove of actually living in this city, the knee-jerk reaction toward their enthusiasm is a swift eye-roll at their naïveté and a silent recitation of the latest snarky blog post about this exact area going to hell in TGI Friday’s hand basket. These days, the trend is to speak about nightlife as you were attending its funeral. I’ve grown bored with the idea that there’s nothing new or provocative happening in this metropolis. Nightlife isn’t dead, it’s just different, and it’s different for everyone. It’s been a while since I first started covering nightlife as “Holly GoNightly,” but my interest is once again piqued to seek out new ways to look at New York after dark. While some longingly wish for their days at Studio 54, Tunnel, or the Beatrice Inn, there are many more seeking out the new. The internet has given everyone a certain kind of access, diversifying trends and experiences. There’s something for everyone, and the only way to find out what works is to step out and try it on for size.

So this is what I’m hoping to do: like those transplanted interns weighing their options with gimlet eyes, I’m going to set my sights on stepping out of my own comfort zone, on noticing, trying, and doing more, on venturing out to see nightlife through other people’s eyes. To start, I’ve asked Amanda Leigh Dunn, a quintessential ‘Girl About Town’ who’s always at the “It” place with a band of cooler-than-cool kids, to fill me in on her own little black book of go-tos. Her’s is an agenda not for the faint of heart—a week of non-stop partying with an array of eclectic and truly hip characters.

Amanda Dunn

Professional Resume: I own a company called Cross Street Productions Inc, a Manhattan based firm specializing in brand integrated events, artist management as well as fashion, beauty, and lifestyle public relations. I also run an event space on Greene Street. One Word to Describe Nightlife in New York City: Endless.

City Gripes: • Nightlife trend you loathe: I hate Juliet Supper Club, the Empire Hotel roof is a clusterfuck of ugly people. I hate places that anyone and their mother gets let into • Drink: Cafe Patron, sick. • Meal: fried food, ick. • Group of people to bump into: Hipsters, teens, and coke fiends—and the usual uninvited crowd, you know who you are.

Her Hotspots:Monday: Dinner with my closest, plotting the week. Tuesday:Lit LoungeWednesday:Soho Yard, the “Everything’s Ridiculous” party with Spencer Product and Becka Diamond. Thursday:Avenue, BEast for Main Man Thursdays, Norwood with Timo & Alan. Friday:Le Bain, Tribeca Grand Salon with Matt&Maia and Andrew Saturday:Pianos for the Mile High party with Jane Bang, Easthampton Boathouse, hosted by the EldridgeSunday:Sway, Goldbar

Kenmare

Every night:Kenmare, we call it Kenitis, or La Bain. Wouldn’t be caught dead here:Greenhouse, Tenjune. For special occasions: Depending on the season, every drink occasion with my closests is a special occasion. But if I had to say, it would prob be the Plaza Hotel (the have the best bloodies in NY). Brunch is usually: Cafe Cluny, Schiller’s, Serafina, Soho House (Essex House is the Greenhouse of brunch).

Everybody I speak to who is opening a joint starts with “We’ll have great DJ’s and the best service in town.” Very few actually know what they’re talking about on either subject. With some exceptions like Lit, Santos’ Party House and of course the music-based clubs like Pacha and Cielo, good music means they will hire a DJ who plays what the crowd wants to hear and is known to their crowd. Some might argue, “Isn’t that what they’re supposed to do?” Well, sort of. My viewpoint has always been the DJ is number 1 an entertainer, but almost as importantly, an educator. The pandering to the model/bottle crowd has resulted in a musically ignorant club scene. The people spending loot want to hear familiar mixes from familiar DJ’s to go along with the familiar faces that service them in familiar ways. Songs are played to death and then played some more. It’s mainstream music to a mainstream crowd that celebrates the superficial and obvious.

Nightlife has been stripped down to the basics. It’s ‘how much money do you have?’ ‘How hot are you to look at?’ Rich clones dressing in clone outfits and nobody wants to bring in the clowns anymore. Clubs have become a big business with layers of regulation and paperwork necessary to keep places financed and functioning. The artists and playboys who used to seek out the edge have given way to the business types who are comfortable in a safe middle and beautiful and safe crowd. How can anyone blame them? It’s all good. There is nothing wrong with this formula and there is always Brooklyn, where entire neighborhoods strive for creative diversions. And yes Brooklyn has it’s share, albeit different sorts, of clones.

I eternally wait for a club to have it all. Real, forward music that I won’t hear when I drive my car and a solid social scene where I can meet all types of interesting people. It will have to be sexy as well. Sexy, of course, is an opinion and my opinion is: there aren’t many sexy joints in town. There is a difference between having a lot of sex and being sexy. The model, bottle, table scene just doesn’t push my button— I eternally seek the lowly places and the crowds looking for adventure and whatever comes their way. Predictable isn’t fun. Today I talk to Roxy Cottontail, a DJ, a female, an innovator. She fills up rooms with future perfect music and a stylish crowd that just can’t stand too much else. If someone really wants to “start with the music,” I’d call Roxy and Justine Delaney and only a handful of others to get this party started right.

Roxy Cottontail sort of sounds like a drug that I never use. Why did you call yourself Roxy Cottontail? Roxy was a nickname that I had for a really long time since I had a band in high school called The Fox Deluxe. I don’t know it just kind of—well Roxy—and it was kind of an online message board name and my avatar was Roxy Cotton. Then I came across Peter Cottontail and I was like, “Roxy Cottontail, I am a little bunny.” And it kind of fit so it’s a mixture of rabbit, drugs, and booty.

2 out of 3 of my favorite things: You are a DJ and you are also a promoter. As a DJ, what kind of music do you play? I play everything. I play some house, some electro, disco, rock, indie rock, I play everything.

And you promote? Did you started off promoting yourself as a DJ having your own parties? No, I started promoting other DJs like Diplo and Low B. The Hollertronix Party was the first one I booked at 9 1/2. I moved to Philly after 9/11 because I went to Pratt and then I moved to Philly because I wanted a job. I was doing design and I wanted to just get away. Then I discovered these DJs and just started doing parties with them.

Where were their parties in Philly? It was at the Ukrainian Club, the Ukie Club. It was legendary because the beer was really cheap and it was like this big sweaty dance hall. They were doing something really unconventional with crunk music and dance music and 80’s. I don’t think it was really happening anywhere else. This was in 2002 and 2003.

So you were promoting other DJs and then what happened? Yeah, I was promoting Diplo and Low B and Spank Rock, who was an MC from Philly. I started booking his first shows in New York. I moved back— I only lived in Philly for a year, I was kind of bored. I came back and I started promoting them heavily—Spank Rock, Amanda Blank—I did the record release party for Kid Cudi too, for Day and Night when that came out. That was at Le Royale like 3 years ago.

What do you like about the club scene and what do you not like about it? I love music and I love bringing people together.

Well, that’s the standard answer but what do you like? What clubs do you like? I love Santos, I love Sway. Sway has been my living room for the past 6 years. Now I really like Bar 13, I’m working there now too. I love, like, the sound system there and I like 1Oak.

Do you go to 1Oak or do you do business there? I have, I have DJed there before and I’ve gone to hang out. I love GoldBar.

I love Goldbar too. Now, you’re a woman and you’ve been in this business a long time. 5 years ago we discussed how hard it is to be a woman in the nightclub business and now it’s 2010 and it’s just as hard. Tell me about that. I think it’s just the same. The only women in nightlife that I’ve had to look up to were like Justine D who pretty much put me on. It was a completely different music than she was doing, mine was definitely more hip-hop and 80’s electro-based, so she kind of gave me the confidence that I could able to do it.

Justine Delaney is Justine D and I guess she’s the director of Le Poisson Rouge which is the old Life space that I had. Justine worked with me there. I remember when she was promoting there. And Jessica Rosenblum too. I can think of other women, but not a lot.

Not a lot! I mean half the population is women and about 1/25 of the population is women working in clubs, something seems wrong. Why do you think that is? It’s just male dominated industries are hard.

What makes this male dominated? We’re supposed to be so liberal and forward-thinking in the club work, why do you think it’s true that we obviously are? I think probably men would feel, they would not want to lose power.

So you’re doing a party with Lady Fag, tell me about that. That’s Thursday nights right? Yeah, we met through out friend Jason, who’s a photographer. He was like, “You two are my favorite people in nightlife,” and he’s gay and her crowd is gay and mine is straight hipsters, so it’s a really amazing mix. We did it at La Pomme and we realized it was too far uptown and we didn’t want to do bottle service so we had to find a new space.

So where are you doing it? At Bar 13. Michael Magnan is our resident DJ and then we have guests and guest performers. This last week Spank Rock performed, he tore the roof off, he’s such a good performer. Then this week we have this crew from New Orleans. So it’s like Gulf Coast bounce music.

Stop there. Tell me what Gulf Coast bounce music is? Well, the Gulf Coast is like Florida and Louisiana and the music they make is like—

Slick and oily? What?

It’s an oil spill joke. Never mind me. Is it house? It’s house but it’s like—it kind of reminds of me GoGo from DC but it’s also dance and very gay-chanting and super up-tempo.

You spoke of crunk music? Now what is crunk music? It’s southern hip-hop.

You have always been on the cutting edge of music. When I was programming clubs and you were just starting out, we’d say Roxy knows her shit. We’d put you in and we’d try to get your DJs to play to musically main stream crowds. When I go to your parties it’s mainly a hipster crowd. Do you ever want to break out and have this music play to a broader audience? Eventually that does happen because I was screaming Baltimore Club like six years ago and no one was playing that in clubs, and now you hear a DJ play a full Baltimore Club set.

Give me an example of a Baltimore Club set. Well, Doo Doo Brown is a famous one, but Samir’s Theme is like the anthem that everyone samples. And that’s like a song that was taken and redone in many ways.

I’m asking you all these questions and I guess when I was running clubs I knew all the answers but I’m out of it. Are most of the club operators out of it, musically? Not playing, not aware of this kind of music but just going for the same old same old? Yeah, most clubs are in line for the same old thing, but like, Sway is really open-minded for me to bring in the newest genre of reggae, of house, whatever it may be.

Because few are playing very little forward at all. I think Santos does a really good job. And I think Sway has done a really good job.

Santos is one of my favorite places. I do hear great sets, there are amazing DJs out there.

Give me five great DJs in New York City and I’m not going to hold you. Start with you. Me and five: Michael Magnan, Melo X, Holy Ghost, Sinatra & Ni** Sky. So you go to 1Oak and you go to what other “mainstream” clubs. Yeah, I went to Griffin on Sunday and I’ll go to Griffin to hear Eli Escobar spin, but he hates that I’ll go to the commercial parties that he spins.

Eli has a good reputation as a DJ and the thing about him is, only the few times I’ve heard him play, he surprised me with something the other guys aren’t playing. But you know I will go there and bring a client or whoever, like someone I’m working with, and I’m booking a party for Manny so I’ll do like a guest hosting thing, it just depends.

With Spring comes a veritable shift in nightlife. Not only are rooftops reopening and patios getting their shine on, but people start feeling inspired to jumpstart their social life and there are plenty of new offerings vying to be the jumper cables. Simonez makes a jump to Pravda on Wednesday nights (an attendees sardonic review: “Like the Vanity Fair Oscar party combined with being backstage at Woodstock”), and Mike has started using his Apartment to shoot rap videos. Meanwhile, all wait with baited breath to see what will become of the old Nells/new Scott and Richie spot, which is set to open next month.

THURSDAY

Lowdown: This is Manhattanites’ Friday night. Whipped has moved to Baddies, the hipster alcoholics moving closer to their hipster roots. Hot Now: ● CV (Lower East Side) – Something has finally been done with the over-saturated spot formerly known as 105 Rivington. Let’s see how long this minor revamp will last. ● BEast(Chinatown) – Main Man, Ryan McGinley’s night of debauchery, is still in swing. Expect a Misshape or two, Sophia Lamar, and a band of insiders. ● Coffee Shop (Union Square) – One of the true day clubs, chocked full of promoters networking via text message; the basement named USL will be making random appearances throughout the week. Avenue, Boom Boom Room and 1Oak are still a great standby for good times, while the down belows like Macao’s basement opium den, is also great. ● Baddies (West Village) – The former Butter party was moved around until it finally flew to coop to the basement bar of Kingswood. Resident hipster DJs Matt & Maia draw out big name fashion folks like Alexander Wang and the Ronsons. Other Things to Try: ● New Party: The guys from Stereo of party days past have a newbie night at the Penthouse @ Hotel on Rivington named “A Family Affair.” Could use a better name. ● About Town: Fashion folks, take a break from your vodka/cigarette diet and check out ‘Wichcrafts cozy sandwich/fire pit thingy. “Bryant Park’s Southwest Porch provides free appetizers and drinks courtesy of ‘wichcraft, with heat lamps and a fire pit to stay warm.” Yeah, no hooch but it’s free food and a toasty atmosphere. If you’re a Bushwickian, head to Don Pedro’s from 9-10PM (the working man’s Happy Hour) for some free Colt 45 and some metal music at the Impose’s Test Patterns party for a mere $5 cover. If you’re one to mourn the loss of the Annex, then help the Tiswas Weekly party, now at Beauty Bar (on the island). Showboating with vodka from 10:30PM- 11:30PM.

FRIDAY

Lowdown: Doesn’t much feel like Friday if you had the luxury of sitting around your apartment in your underwear, celebrating President’s Day. But it’s already here! Hot Now: ● Boom Boom Room (Meatpacking District) – You probably won’t make it in like the rest of the plebeians (us included), but if you could, this would be the night to go. ● Home Sweet Home (Lower East Side) – Jonathan Toubin brings the fairly popular New York Night Train to this little living room on Friday nights. ● Santos’ Party House (Chinatown) – A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip. Upstairs. Funk. Other Things to Try:

Lowdown: Sundays have been a solid party night, even through the bluster of the winter season. Hot Now: ● GoldBar (Nolita) – Frequented by the Ronson clan and celebfolk who go unrecognized by a collection of spendy bankers. A favorite amongst models, Danny Masterson, and DJ Jesse Marco. ● Sway (Sway) – Moroccan themed bar has become the Pants on the Ground song. Sort of creepy, but a guilty pleasure and viral. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – The Van Dam party begs the question: Where is Jean Claude Van Dam? ● White Slab Palace (Lower East Side) – Another odd place to stumble into late night. Hit or miss and always a “Where did all of these people come from?” moment. Other Things To Try: ● Free Booze: Home Sweet Home tries to offer an alterna-Sway with their new Sunday party, N.W.N.S (No Way No Sway). Enjoy an open vodka bar from 10:30pm-11pm with no cover. ● Arlo and Esme has something called Buns and Puns, free Jell-O shots starting at 7:30PM.

MONDAY

Lowdown: Monday night is for getting rid of your Sunday hangover. Hot Now: ● Stanton Social (Lower East Side) – Yes, still a great place to have a fun bite/Monday night drinks. ● Butter (Noho) – Not only is this a truly great place to get sloshed on Mondays, I am now excited to admit it. There’s a cool, younger crowd that’s mixing in on Mondays and adding a bit of an edge to the festivities. ● Black & White (Greenwich Village) – Restaurant becomes cramped, sexy, and very cozy after ten. ● Johnny Utah’s (Midtown West) Football season is over, but it’s still industry night here. Other Things to Try:

TUESDAY

● Rose Bar (Gramercy) – This really has a lot to do with Nur Khan, who is pairing up with Paul Sevigny on the next New York hot spot, Kenmare. ● Avenue (Chelsea) – People were astounded to find this place under our Tuesday heading: “Duh, the hot nights are Monday and Wednesday, obvi.” Those people are right, but those people have never known the true Bea. And really, Avenue is good every night — right? ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – Right around the corner, the one-of-a-kind kids get the spillage of displaced hipster kids, who can’t decide between one gilded lounge or the other. Again, people agreed to disagree — and with a name like “Tight Jean Tuesday,” we know Jay-Z’s knots don’t fit. ● SL (Meatpacking District) – Might be able to add another notch on its belt; Tuesdays are hot at SL. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – Green followers love Tuesdays too. Other Things to Try:

●Free Booze: It’s Trainwreck Tuesday at Angels & Kings. This means two open vodka bars with no cover. The first freebie power half-hour: 10pm-10:30pm, the second from 1-1:30am. Happy Ending has free vodka from 11-12am at their weekly Disco Down party with 66Sick, and Brooklyn’s Glasslands Gallery for Todd & Harrison’s Tuesday Night Disco. This means free absinthe and live music with a $7 cover.

WEDNESDAY

Hot Now: ● Le Cubain (Lower East Side) – Great spot for pre-drinks and cheap eat with babes with bangs in boots and vintage fur coats. Maybe even make it downstairs for a Chloe revival — bottle models pack it in pre-1Oak and Boom Boom Room. ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – This is still 1Oak’s undisputed hot night. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – BlackFun (indieelectropopbangers) take over the party along with banter & booze from Marc Alan + Kieren+ Mike de Guzman+Joey Nova+ Valerie Termini+Anna Maltezos & Friends. (hint: these are names to drop @ the door kiddies.) ● Avenue (Chelsea) – Another good night for the kids on the Ave. ● subMercer(Soho) – The FAM (Friends and Music) party, featuring Gabby, Richard and Tariq has been going strong for the past few months. ● Su Casa (Greenwich Village)- The kids from Upstairs (remember Upstairs? Leo Di doesn’t either) are putting together this new party. Heavy on the gays and the girls, produced by Michael Cohen, Cameron Moir and Mark Holcomb. ● Southside (Nolita) – Tutti, Franco, and Brion run the DJ booth at their TGIWednesday party. Von (Noho) – Party in the basement is “pretty packed and a lot of fun” for the Noho set after 10pm.

Lowdown: This is Manhattanites’ Friday night. Whipped has moved to Baddies, the hipster alcoholics moving closer to their hipster roots. Hot Now: ● CV (Lower East Side) – Something has finally been done with the over-saturated spot formerly known as 105 Rivington. Let’s see how long this minor revamp will last. ● BEast(Chinatown) – Main Man, Ryan McGinley’s night of debauchery, is still in swing. Expect a Misshape or two, Sophia Lamar, and a band of insiders. ● Coffee Shop (Union Square) – One of the true day clubs, chocked full of promoters networking via text message; the basement named USL will be making random appearances throughout the week. Avenue, Boom Boom Room and 1Oak are still great standbys for good times, while the down-belows like Macao’s basement opium den, is also great. ● Baddies (West Village) – The former Butter party was screwed with until it finally flew the coop to the basement bar of Kingswood. Resident hipster DJs Matt & Maia draw out big name fashion folks like Alexander Wang and the Ronsons.

Other Things to Try: ● New Party: The guys from Stereo of party days past have a newbie night at the Penthouse @ Hotel on Rivington named “A Family Affair.” Could use a better name. ● About Town: Fashion folks, take a break from your vodka/cigarette diet and check out ‘Wichcrafts cozy sandwich/fire pit thingy. “Bryant Park’s Southwest Porch provides free appetizers and drinks courtesy of ‘wichcraft, with heat lamps and a fire pit to stay warm.” Yeah, no hooch but it’s free food and a toasty atmosphere. For a dose of electro-darkness, Dan Black plays Mercury Lounge with Free Blood (not to be confused with True Blood). Luckily for those who live off of open bars and luckier for those who live for fashion: StyleCaster and SmartWater “Celebrate New York Fashion Week” at Goldbar tonight from 9PM-12AM. Tom Green begins a 3 day stint at Comix while the Music Hall of Williamsburg celebrates their third annual (which is like 10 years in Brooklyn terms!) Dre Day at 10PM. If you’re a Bushwickian, head to Don Pedro’s from 9-10PM (the working man’s Happy Hour) for some free Colt 45 and some metal music at the Impose’s Test Patterns party for a mere $5 cover. If you’re one to mourn the loss of the Annex, then help the Tiswas Weekly party, now at Beauty Bar (on the island). Showboating with vodka from 10:30PM- 11:30PM.

Well that was fast. Mardi Gras is fin, and most New Yorkers were too distracted or bleary-eyed from the long weekend to get truly fat on Fat Tuesday. Now Lent is here and people have rushed into giving things up and fasting and otherwise resorting to being good and decent people for the next 40 days. What does this mean for New York nightlife? Judging from the long lists of places to-go and people to-see, I’d say not much. This week we’ve got Brooklynites saying Bryant Park what? as they host a fashion week(end) of their own, while Oak takes it upon itself to get its own magazine credits by releasing another issue of their popular Oak.a.zine fashion rag. Hotel Rivington tries out a new party with the old dogs from Stereo, people flood Rose Bar to see if they can’t shmooze their way into Nur Khan‘s new Kenmare, StyleCaster hits up Goldbar and free booze tries its damnedest to revive Happy Endings.

Eclectic, StraightTHURSDAY

Lowdown: This is Manhattanites’ Friday night. Whipped has moved to Baddies, the hipster alcoholics moving closer to their hipster roots. Hot Now: ● CV (Lower East Side) – Something has finally been done with the over-saturated spot formerly known as 105 Rivington. Let’s see how long this minor revamp will last. ● BEast(Chinatown) – Main Man, Ryan McGinley’s night of debauchery, is still in swing. Expect a Misshape or two, Sophia Lamar, and a band of insiders. ● Coffee Shop (Union Square) – One of the true day clubs, chocked full of promoters networking via text message; the basement named USL will be making random appearances throughout the week. Avenue, Boom Boom Room and 1Oak are still a great standby for good times, while the down belows like Macao’s basement opium den, is also great. ● Baddies (West Village) – The former Butter party was moved around until it finally flew to coop to the basement bar of Kingswood. Resident hipster DJs Matt & Maia draw out big name fashion folks like Alexander Wang and the Ronsons. Tonight Andy Rourke joins in the fun. Other Things to Try: ● New Party: The guys from Stereo of party days past have a newbie night at the Penthouse @ Hotel on Rivington named “A Family Affair.” Could use a better name. ● About Town: Fashion folks, take a break from your vodka/cigarette diet and check out ‘Wichcrafts cozy sandwich/fire pit thingy. “Bryant Park’s Southwest Porch provides free appetizers and drinks courtesy of ‘wichcraft, with heat lamps and a fire pit to stay warm.” Yeah, no hooch but it’s free food and a toasty atmosphere. For a dose of electro-darkness, Dan Black plays Mercury Lounge with Free Blood (not to be confused with True Blood). Luckily for those who live off of open bars and luckier for those who live for fashion: StyleCaster and SmartWater “Celebrate New York Fashion Week” at Goldbar tonight from 9PM-12AM. Tom Green begins a 3 day stint at Comix while the Music Hall of Williamsburg celebrates their third annual (which is like 10 years in Brooklyn terms!) Dre Day at 10PM. If you’re a Bushwickian, head to Don Pedro’s from 9-10PM (the working man’s Happy Hour) for some free Colt 45 and some metal music at the Impose’s Test Patterns party for a mere $5 cover. If you’re one to mourn the loss of the Annex, then help the Tiswas Weekly party, now at Beauty Bar (on the island). Showboating with vodka from 10:30PM- 11:30PM.

FRIDAY

Lowdown: Doesn’t much feel like Friday if you had the luxury of sitting around your apartment in your underwear, celebrating President’s Day. But it’s already here! Hot Now: ● Boom Boom Room (Meatpacking District) – You probably won’t make it in like the rest of the plebeians (us included), but if you could, this would be the night to go. ● Home Sweet Home (Lower East Side) – Jonathan Toubin brings the fairly popular New York Night Train to this little living room on Friday nights. ● Santos’ Party House (Chinatown) – A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip. Upstairs. Funk. Other Things to Try: ● About Town: Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck get all old skool/new skool at Madison Square Garden at 8PM while the Dirty Projectors play the old school Lincoln Center at 8:30PM for the American SOngbook concert series. If you have traded in your tired fashion week fixation to join the rest of humanity with a healthy Winter Olympics obsession, the Bohemian Hall & Beer Gardens in Queens is doing that whole “big-screen Olympics” trend and are showing hockey at all hours of the day. Lastly, Freshkills and the Death Set hang out/play some tunes at Lit. Hopefully not a Freudian Death/Kills slip of what’s to happen to the smoking Lit.

SATURDAY

Lowdown: Saturday: a day of rest, a night of partying. Hot Now: ● Boom Boom Room (Meatpacking District) – Again, try your luck. ● Lit Lounge (East Village) – Saturday night is grimy and fun! ● Bowery Hotel (East Village) – Simonez throws ragers here, spanning Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Other Things to Try: ● About Town: Like you haven’t heard this one before; party at Tribeca Grand. They’re hosting an open Svedka Bar from 10- 11PM while Memory Tapes play a live set. presented by the folks at Self-Titled Magazine, GrandLife, self-titled & The Pop Manifesto. Just when you thought it was over; Williamsburg decides to host yet another fashion thingy. But Brooklynites should get behind this one. The Williamsburg Fashion Weekend at GlassLands Gallery runs Saturday and Sunday from 8pm and features 12 local designers (and some national ones as well) along with an art show and live music for just $8.

SUNDAY

Lowdown: Sundays have been a solid party night, even through the bluster of the winter season. Hot Now: ● GoldBar (Nolita) – Frequented by the Ronson clan and celebfolk who go unrecognized by a collection of spendy bankers. A favorite amongst models, Danny Masterson, and DJ Jesse Marco. ● Sway (Sway) – Moroccan themed bar has become the Pants on the Ground song. Sort of creepy, but a guilty pleasure and viral. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – The Van Dam party begs the question: Where is Jean Claude Van Dam? ● White Slab Palace (Lower East Side) – Another odd place to stumble into late night. Hit or miss and always a “Where did all of these people come from?” moment. Other Things To Try: ● Free Booze: Home Sweet Home tries to offer an alterna-Sway with their new Sunday party, N.W.N.S (No Way No Sway). Enjoy an open vodka bar from 10:30pm-11pm with no cover. If you’re looking for some Brooklyn brew, check out Savalas for “Shake Your Brass Sundays with Wolff” night. They’re hawking free Yuengling from 8-9pm. ● About Town: Passion Pit play yet another DJ set at Pianos. Apparently they really want to burn out? Mates of State bring their special brand of musical cuteness to The Bell House tonight, $16 advance tickets and $19 at the door. Too tame? Arlo and Esme has something called Buns and Puns, free Jell-O shots starting at 7:30PM.

MONDAY

Lowdown: Monday night is for getting rid of your Sunday hangover. Hot Now: ● Stanton Social (Lower East Side) – Yes, still a great place to have a fun bite/Monday night drinks. ● Butter (Noho) – Not only is this a truly great place to get sloshed on Mondays, I am now excited to admit it. There’s a cool, younger crowd that’s mixing in on Mondays and adding a bit of an edge to the festivities. ● Black & White (Greenwich Village) – Restaurant becomes cramped, sexy, and very cozy after ten. ● Johnny Utah’s (Midtown West) Football season is over, but it’s still industry night here. Other Things to Try: ●About Town: The Paris Review’s Philip Gourevitch hangs out with Mary Karr at Joe’s Pub for a public chat at 7PM. Oh I’m sorry, a conversation without booze not cool enough for you? Then go hang out with people talking about a different kind of ‘zine at the release party for Oak’s specialty rag, oak.a.zine, being held at SPiN.

TUESDAY

Lowdown: Fashion week comes to a close, so get your last drop of freebie booze and your final fix of celeb stalking. Hot Now: ● Rose Bar (Gramercy) – This really has a lot to do with Nur Khan, who is pairing up with Paul Sevigny on the next New York hot spot, Kenmare. ● Avenue (Chelsea) – People were astounded to find this place under our Tuesday heading: “Duh, the hot nights are Monday and Wednesday, obvi.” Those people are right, but those people have never known the true Bea. And really, Avenue is good every night — right? ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – Right around the corner, the one-of-a-kind kids get the spillage of displaced hipster kids, who can’t decide between one gilded lounge or the other. Again, people agreed to disagree — and with a name like “Tight Jean Tuesday,” we know Jay-Z’s knots don’t fit. ● SL (Meatpacking District) – Might be able to add another notch on its belt; Tuesdays are hot at SL. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – Green followers love Tuesdays too. Other Things to Try: ●About Town: Walter’s Fall 2010 After Party is at 9:00pm at The Eldridge. ●Free Booze: It’s Trainwreck Tuesday at Angels & Kings. This means two open vodka bars with no cover. The first freebie power half-hour: 10pm-10:30pm, the second from 1-1:30am. Happy Ending has free vodka from 11-12am at their weekly Disco Down party with 66Sick, and Brooklyn’s Glasslands Gallery for Todd & Harrison’s Tuesday Night Disco. This means free absinthe and live music with a $7 cover.

WEDNESDAY

Lowdown: Fashion week winds down with many needing to detox after the week’s festivities, but Hot Now: ● Le Cubain (Lower East Side) – Great spot for pre-drinks and cheap eat with babes with bangs in boots and vintage fur coats. Maybe even make it downstairs for a Chloe revival — bottle models pack it in pre-1Oak and Boom Boom Room. ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – This is still 1Oak’s undisputed hot night. Tonight it’s all about Funkmaster Flex on the decks. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – BlackFun (indieelectropopbangers) take over the party along with banter & booze from Marc Alan + Kieren+ Mike de Guzman+Joey Nova+ Valerie Termini+Anna Maltezos & Friends. (hint: these are names to drop @ the door kiddies.) ● Avenue (Chelsea) – Another good night for the kids on the Ave. ● SL (Meatpacking District) – Tonight is the night for this Aalex Julian-guarded door. ● subMercer(Soho) – The FAM (Friends and Music) party, featuring Gabby, Richard and Tariq has been going strong for the past few months. ● Su Casa (Greenwich Village)- The kids from Upstairs (remember Upstairs? Leo Di doesn’t either) are putting together this new party. Heavy on the gays and the girls, produced by Michael Cohen, Cameron Moir and Mark Holcomb. ● Southside (Nolita) – Tutti, Franco, and Brion run the DJ booth at their TGIWednesday party. Von (Noho) – Party in the basement is “pretty packed and a lot of fun” for the Noho set after 10pm.

“We’re trying to keep it beachy but not too homeless-looking,” stylist Dennis Lanni said about the hair at Lacoste during last February’s Fall Fashion Week. As Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2010 kicks off today, alongside Blizzard Week 2010, the fashionistas descending upon Bryant Park can only hope to walk that fine line themselves. You may end up on the side of homeless-looking, lest you have your own personal umbrella holder, Jimmy Choo buffer and car service to the tents, but that doesn’t mean you should stay away. Stuff your feet into your LL Bean waterproof blizzard-booties and hit up the after parties. Because who needs the shows when you have free booze? If you’re the fashion-y type, but not exactly the fashion show type, the Barneys Warehouse sale starts this week. If you couldn’t give a hoot about fashion week, free booze or warehouse sales, there are a few good shows to snow-shoe your way to. For shows of a different kind, head up to Bryan Park and watch show-goers slip and eat it in their couture. Lord knows I might be one of them.

Eclectic, StraightWEDNESDAY

Lowdown: Today it begins! Models in pubs, designers blowing off steam and visiting their good, club-owing friends, celebrities here to show face and drink their faces off. Hot Now: ● Le Cubain (Lower East Side) – Great spot for pre-drinks and cheap eat with babes with bangs in boots and vintage fur coats. Maybe even make it downstairs for a Chloe revival — bottle models pack it in pre-1Oak and Boom Boom Room. ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – This is still 1Oak’s undisputed hot night. Tonight DJ VICE spins. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – BlackFun (indieelectropopbangers) take over the party along with banter & booze from Marc Alan + Kieren+ Mike de Guzman+Joey Nova+ Valerie Termini+Anna Maltezos & Friends. (hint: these are names to drop @ the door kiddies.) ● Avenue (Chelsea) – Again, Avenue. But this is a raging night for the kids on the Ave. ● SL (Meatpacking District) – Tonight is the night for this Aalex Julian-guarded door. ● subMercer(Soho) – You may have forgotten about this celeb-laden underground, but she’s back, along with her FAM (Friends and Music). Featuring Gabby, Richard and Tariq.

● Su Casa (Greenwich Village)- The kids from Upstairs (remember Upstairs? Leo Di doesn’t either) are putting together this new party. Heavy on the gays and the girls. ● Southside (Nolita) – Tutti, Franco, and Brion run the DJ booth. If you think you know, you have no idea. ● Eldridge (Lower East Side) – Rock and roll, yes. Von (Noho) – Party in the basement is “pretty packed and a lot of fun” for the Noho set after 10pm. Other Things to Try: ● About Town: Svedka Sessions kicks off fashion week at the Hudson Hotel with performances from Amanda Blank and Daniel Merriweather to benefit Haiti, while Rebecca Minkoff celebrates with an a party at Underbar with Michelle Trachtenberg, Agyness Deyn, and Erin Lucas gracing the W with their lovely presence. Gen Art’s “The New Garde” is presented by Plastics Make it Possible, and will feature fashion presentations and Molly Sims @ Drive Inn Studios.

THURSDAY

Lowdown: This is Manhattanites’ Friday night. Whipped has moved to Baddies, but the party keeps on trucking, leaving nobody to say; “I can’t believe it’s not Butter!” Hot Now: ● CV (Lower East Side) – Something has finally been done with the over-saturated spot formerly known as 105 Rivington. Hopefully Amanda Leigh will continue with the feel good vibes and attract a good, loyal crowd. ● BEast(Chinatown) – Main Man, Ryan McGinley’s night of debauchery, is still in swing. Expect a Misshape or two, Sophia Lamar, and a band of insiders. ● Coffee Shop (Union Square) – One of the true day clubs, chocked full of promoters networking via text message; the basement named USL will be making random appearances throughout the week. Avenue, Boom Boom Room and 1Oak are still a great standby for good times, while the down belows like Macao’s basement opium den, is also great. ● Baddies (West Village) – The former Butter party was moved around until it finally flew to coop to the basement bar of Kingswood. Resident hipster DJs Matt & Maia draw out big name fashion folks like Alexander Wang and the Ronsons. Other Things to Try: ● About Town: Did you just hear that? That was the sound of a middle-aged women tackling a thirty-something gay man with the last pair of Tory Burch sandals in his hand, which can only mean that today, the Barneys Warehouse sale commences (through February 28th). Oh you meant the sound of Voguettes clacking around Bryant Park? That’s because the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week officially begins. Also check out L’uomo Vogue as they celebrate @ the John Varvatos Fashion Week Party. GQ + CFDA present The Best New Menswear Designers in America at the glorious IAC building from 7-9pm, and Dead Man’s Bones play at the Los Angeles Based Clothing Brand *LnA* for their presentation and after-party @ Milk Studios from 9pm-12am.

FRIDAY

Lowdown: Are Fridays cool again? Hot Now: ● Boom Boom Room (Meatpacking District) – You probably won’t make it in like the rest of the plebeians (us included), but if you could, this would be the night to go. ● The Standard Grill (Meatpacking District) – What’s that, didn’t make it in to Boom? Luckily, the Grill is jumping with everyone else who tried their luck and are now eating duck (or crow); even the most beautiful, classy folks gather here, so it’s a hotspot nonetheless. ● Home Sweet Home (Lower East Side) – Jonathan Toubin brings the fairly popular New York Night Train to this little living room on Friday nights. ● Santos’ Party House (Chinatown) – A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip. Upstairs. Funk. Other Things to Try: ● About Town: F♥CK YOU x F♥CK ME (I just love writing that) comes to INVEN.TORY courtesy of Seasick Mama and the photography of Casey Randerson, a favorite of the downtown set. DJs Harley and Cassie celebrate their Paper Nightlife Award for “Best DJ Win” at Marquee, and Charlotte Ronson brings out the best of the downtowners for her after-party at Avenue.

Lowdown: Sundays have been a solid party night, even through the bluster of the winter season. Hot Now: ● GoldBar (Nolita) – Frequented by the Ronson clan and celebfolk who go unrecognized by a collection of spendy bankers. A favorite amongst models, Danny Masterson, and DJ Jesse Marco. ● Sway (Sway) – Moroccan themed bar has become the Pants on the Ground song. Sort of creepy, but a guilty pleasure and viral. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – The Van Dam party begs the question: Where is Jean Claude Van Dam? ● White Slab Palace (Lower East Side) – Another odd place to stumble into late night. Hit or miss and always a “Where did all of these people come from?” moment. Other Things To Try: ● Free Booze: Home Sweet Home tries to offer an alterna-Sway with their new Sunday party, N.W.N.S (No Way No Sway). Enjoy an open vodka bar from 10:30pm-11pm with no cover. If you’re looking for some Brooklyn brew, check out Savalas for “Shake Your Brass Sundays with Wolff” night. They’re hawking free Yuengling from 8-9pm. ● About Town: And speaking of White Slab Palace ” title=”White Slab Palace”>White Slab Palace, Richard Chai has it as his chosen venue for his LOVE Launch Party.

MONDAY

Lowdown: Monday night is for getting rid of your Sunday hangover. Hot Now: ● Stanton Social (Lower East Side) – Yes, still a great place to have a fun bite/Monday night drinks. ● Butter (Noho) – Not only is this a truly great place to get sloshed on Mondays, I am now excited to admit it. There’s a cool, younger crowd that’s mixing in on Mondays and adding a bit of an edge to the festivities. ● Black & White (Greenwich Village) – Restaurant becomes cramped, sexy, and very cozy after ten. ● Johnny Utah’s (Midtown West) Football season is over, but it’s still industry night here. Other Things to Try: ●About Town: Tegan & Sara play Music Hall of Williamsburg. ●Free Booze: I’ve yet to check it out, but the Arcade party comes to Darkroom with free vodka and free cover from 11-12pm, while Danzie and James Morley spin.

TUESDAY

Lowdown: Fashion week comes to a close, so get your last drop of freebie booze and your final fix of celeb stalking. Hot Now: ● Rose Bar (Gramercy) – This really has a lot to do with Nur Khan, who is pairing up with Paul Sevigny on the next New York hot spot, Kenmare. ● Avenue (Chelsea) – People were astounded to find this place under our Tuesday heading: “Duh, the hot nights are Monday and Wednesday, obvi.” Those people are right, but those people have never known the true Bea. And really, Avenue is good every night — right? ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – Right around the corner, the one-of-a-kind kids get the spillage of displaced hipster kids, who can’t decide between one gilded lounge or the other. Again, people agreed to disagree — and with a name like “Tight Jean Tuesday,” we know Jay-Z’s knots don’t fit. ● SL (Meatpacking District) – Might be able to add another notch on its belt; Tuesdays are hot at SL. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – Green followers love Tuesdays too. Other Things to Try: ●About Town: Walter’s Fall 2010 After Party is at 9:00pm at The Eldridge. ●Free Booze: It’s Trainwreck Tuesday at Angels & Kings. This means two open vodka bars with no cover. The first freebie power half-hour: 10pm-10:30pm, the second from 1-1:30am. Happy Ending has free vodka from 11-12am at their weekly Disco Down party with 66Sick, and Brooklyn’s Glasslands Gallery for Todd & Harrison’s Tuesday Night Disco. This means free absinthe and live music with a $7 cover. Darkroom has a dark vodka power hour from 11-12am with 24Court spinning.

Socials and fashionistas might be fasting in prep for Fashion Week, but we take the side of Ernest Hemingway, who said “Drinking is a way of ending the day.” This week, with the Superbowl taking over pubs, Steve Lewis is taking over Lit for birthday party and drinkers taking over the MoMa for First Thursdays, there are plenty of ways to end the day well. If you aren’t in the mood for hooch, there are events for talking about alcohol, a giant Sleepover party and cozy cupcake affairs.

Eclectic, StraightTUESDAY

Lowdown: The hipsters infiltrate the clubs, Nur Kahn maintains at Rose Bar, and our dearest Steve Lewis has a Birthday! Hot Now: ● Rose Bar (Gramercy) – This really has a lot to do with Nur Khan, and now the music enthusiast is upping his game with Nur Kahn’s Rose Bar Sessions, featuring a band every Tuesday night. But they are secret shows. So shh. ● Avenue (Chelsea) – People were astounded to find this place under our Tuesday heading: “Duh, the hot nights are Monday and Wednesday, obvi.” Those people are right, but those people have never known the true Bea. And really, Avenue is good every night — right? ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – Right around the corner, the one-of-a-kind kids get the spillage of displaced hipster kids, who can’t decide between one gilded lounge or the other. Again, people agreed to disagree — and with a name like “Tight Jean Tuesday,” we know Jay-Z’s knots don’t fit. ●Superdive(East Village) – Champagne Tuesdays. Champagne in a dive bar. Say no more. ● SL (Meatpacking District) – Might be able to add another notch on its belt; Tuesdays are hot at SL. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – Green followers love Tuesdays too. Other Things to Try: ●About Town:Lit, which has been under fire from the health department for lighting up will be hosting Good Night Mr. Lewis’ birthday bash tonight. Bring ear plugs, Steve is playing DJ (I kid Steve! You’re a musical talent!!) ●Free Booze: It’s Trainwreck Tuesday at Angels & Kings. This means two open vodka bars with no cover. The first freebie power half-hour: 10pm-10:30pm, the second from 1-1:30am. Happy Ending has free vodka from 11-12am at their weekly Disco Down party with 66Sick, and Brooklyn’s Glasslands Gallery has free beer from 9-10pm with live performances by War Game, Workout and Hallelujah.

WEDNESDAY

Lowdown: Hump day isn’t just for humping. Hot Now: ● Le Cubain (Lower East Side) – Great spot for pre-drinks and cheap eat with babes with bangs in boots and vintage fur coats. Maybe even make it downstairs for a Chloe revival — bottle models pack it in pre-1Oak and Boom Boom Room. ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – This is still 1Oak’s undisputed hot night. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – This one is in the basement, kids. Well, it’s in the whole of Greenhouse, but it’s better down below. ● Avenue (Chelsea) – Again, Avenue. But this is a raging night for the kids on the Ave. ● SL (Meatpacking District) – Tonight is the night for this Aalex Julian-guarded door. ● subMercer(Soho) – You may have forgotten about this celeb-laden underground, but she’s back, along with her FAM (Friends and Music). Featuring Gabby, Richard and Tariq.

● Su Casa (Greenwich Village)- The kids from Upstairs (remember Upstairs? Leo Di doesn’t either) are putting together this new party. Heavy on the gays and the girls. ● Southside (Nolita) – Tutti, Franco, and Brion run the DJ booth. If you think you know, you have no idea. ● Eldridge (Lower East Side) – Rock and roll, yes. Von (Noho) – Party in the basement is “pretty packed and a lot of fun” for the Noho set after 10pm. Other Things to Try: ● About Town:The Constellations play Brooklyn Bowl, Royal Wednesdays @ Le Souk Harem tries to bring some heat to Wednesdays, and if you have 1K for a ticket or 10K for a table, then clear your calendars for International Women’s Health Coalition 2010 Gala @ Cipriani’s 42nd Street. Having a Julie & Julia moment? Tom Colicchio, Dan Barber, Jacques Torres and Andre Soltner get together for a Doing What You Love talk at 8pm at 92Y

THURSDAY

Lowdown: This is Manhattanites’ Friday night, which explains why Butter is moved their dancey Friday party — Whipped — to Thursdays. Dancing, dinner, glitz, and even some glam, without the B&T jam. Hot Now: ● CV (Lower East Side) – Something has finally been done with the over-saturated spot formerly known as 105 Rivington. Hopefully Amanda Leigh will continue with the feel good vibes and attract a good, loyal crowd. ● BEast(Chinatown) – Main Man, Ryan McGinley’s night of debauchery, is still in swing. Expect a Misshape or two, Sophia Lamar, and a band of insiders. ● Coffee Shop (Union Square) – One of the true day clubs, chocked full of promoters networking via text message; the basement named USL will be making random appearances throughout the week. Avenue, Boom Boom Room and 1Oak are still a great standby for good times, while the down belows like Macao’s basement opium den, is also great. ● Butter (Noho) – Thursday-night party Whipped is so fresh, most can’t believe it’s Butter. Resident hipster DJs Matt & Maia draw out big name fashion folks like Alexander Wang and the Ronsons. Other Things to Try: ● About Town:Kiss & Fly reopens with a new look, hopefully a look that will be more conductive to maintaining a vibe of any kind. Marissa Meltzer celebrates her new book Girl Power: The Nineties Revolution in Music at Pianos (totes crashing), and it’s the First Thursday of the Month at MoMa, a night in which the museum stasy open until 8:45 pm with gallery talks, audio tours, and film screenings that are free with the price of admission. Drinkers: the main atrium will have a cash bar.

FRIDAY

Lowdown: Are Fridays cool again? Hot Now: ● Boom Boom Room (Meatpacking District) – You probably won’t make it in like the rest of the plebeians (us included), but if you could, this would be the night to go. ● The Standard Grill (Meatpacking District) – What’s that, didn’t make it in to Boom? Luckily, the Grill is jumping with everyone else who tried their luck and are now eating duck (or crow); even the most beautiful, classy folks gather here, so it’s a hotspot nonetheless. ● Home Sweet Home (Lower East Side) – Jonathan Toubin brings the fairly popular New York Night Train to this little living room on Friday nights. ● Santos’ Party House (Chinatown) – A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip. Upstairs. Funk. Other Things to Try: ● About Town: Ra Ra Riot and The Antlers play BAM, Hotchip plays the Highline Ballroom and RuPaul is at Borders at Columbus Circle to sign books at 7 p.m. If you want something a little more low key, go talk about the 10 Most Famous Hotel Bars (and their 10 Best Cocktails) at the Astor Center at 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Lowdown: Whether you are above or below 14th Street, you should probably be planning on going out somewhere near to or below 14th Street. Hot Now: ● Boom Boom Room (Meatpacking District) – Again, try your luck. ● Lit Lounge (East Village) – Saturday night is grimy and fun! ● Bowery Hotel (East Village) – Simonez throws ragers here, spanning Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Other Things to Try: ● About Town:The Ritz Carlton Central Park begins its annual “Valentine Cupcake Tea”, which is a great way to spend lazy weekends in cozy and expensive knitwear if you have the $28 bucks to spend on cupcakes, tea or hot chocolate. The LOOM Party, which is a month long art installation at 1087 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn, kicks off with free beer all night, sponsored and VICE Magazine. Also, get out your footie pajamas, it’s the Sleepover at the American Museum of Natural History!

Superbowl SUNDAY

Lowdown: Sundays have been a solid party night, even through the bluster of the winter season. Hot Now: ● GoldBar (Nolita) – Frequented by the Ronson clan and celebfolk who go unrecognized by a collection of spendy bankers. A favorite amongst models, Danny Masterson, and DJ Jesse Marco. ● Sway (Sway) – Moroccan themed bar has become the Pants on the Ground song. Sort of creepy, but a guilty pleasure and viral. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – The Van Dam party begs the question: Where is Jean Claude Van Dam? ● White Slab Palace (Lower East Side) – Another odd place to stumble into late night. Hit or miss and always a “Where did all of these people come from?” moment. Other Things To Try: ● Free Booze: Home Sweet Home tries to offer an alterna-Sway with their new Sunday party, N.W.N.S (No Way No Sway). Enjoy an open vodka bar from 10:30pm-11pm with no cover. If you’re looking for some Brooklyn brew, check out Savalas for “Shake Your Brass Sundays with Wolff” night. They’re hawking free Yuengling from 8-9pm. ● Superbowl Sunday: It’s a given that the sports-loving venue trio Hudson Terrace, Village Pourhouse & Sidebar will be up to some antics. Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge in Manhattan is having a Super Bowling party with an open bar from 6-9pm, a ribs and wings buffet, and 21 big screens. You should probably get your tickets in advance (like, now). If you’re a Saints fan, get down to your southern roots at an all-you-can-eat Super Bowl Buffet at B.B. Kings Blues Club at 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY

Lowdown: Monday night means getting rid of your Sunday hangover. Hot Now: ● Stanton Social (Lower East Side) – Yes, still a great place to have a fun bite/Monday night drinks. ● Butter (Noho) – Not only is this a truly great place to get sloshed on Mondays, I am now excited to admit it. There’s a cool, younger crowd that’s mixing in on Mondays and adding a bit of an edge to the festivities. ● Black & White (Greenwich Village) – Restaurant becomes cramped, sexy, and very cozy after ten. ● Johnny Utah’s (Midtown West) Football season is over, but it’s still industry night here. Other Things to Try: ●About Town: On the 8th Yeasayer plays the Bowery Ballroom ●Free Booze: I’ve yet to check it out, but the Arcade party comes to Darkroom with free vodka and free cover from 11-12pm, while Danzie and James Morley spin.

Wednesday night, André Balazs accepted a small green KidRobot monster. There’s nothing quite like an awards ceremony to inject a little energy into nightlife, and the gracious Balazs excitedly accepting on behalf of his Standard Hotel promised energy is on the upswing. Just being in the same room as nightlifers like Six Six Sick and Harley & Cassie invigorated my addiction to the night, and I’m not the only one.

Perhaps it’s because people want their noms next year, but suddenly there is so much to do. The trees are getting trimmed and the eggnog is flowing freely with a number of places to partake in the merry-making. CV makes a splash with Diddy and Jay-Z paying it an Empire State visit and vies for a place on the Thursday-night party scene, with Amanda Leigh Dunn playing hostess to a downtown crew. Maialino gives you just one more reason to pop into the Gramercy Park Hotel. Suddenly we’re reminded how great the drinks taste at Macao and Apothéke. With wintery hideaways, new restaurant openings, and new faith in old parties, the holiday season is beginning to look a lot like New York Nightlife.

SUNDAY

Lowdown: There’s nothing like extending your weekend during the holidays. In fact, the holidays are one big weekend, starting with a nice cozy brunch, and easing into football or other day drinking opportunities. Which explains why Sundays are so very important. Hot Now: ● GoldBar (Nolita) – If gold is on your Christmas wishlist, indulge in the cozy gilded music hub. ● Sway (Sway) – Moroccan themed bar + holidays + booze + sketchy people = Sunday mental vacation. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – The Van Dam party isn’t by Jean Claude, but it’s still just as ass-kicking. ● White Slab Palace (Lower East Side) – Suddenly a staple! Worth a Look: ● Brooklyn Yard (Williamsburg) – Sunday Best in your Sunday’s Best! ● Charles (West Village) – Cozy charmer is quite possibly even more charming in the light of day. French toast, ricotta pancakes, eggs in the hole, and the lobster BLT balance custom cocktails that make you feel pretty darn good about drinking. Again.

MONDAY

Lowdown: Monday night means the beginning of your drinking week, the nearing end of your fantasy football league, and the drowning of sorrows and celebrating of victories. Here’s how we do it. Hot Now: ● Stanton Social (Lower East Side) – Yes, still a great place to have a fun bite/Monday night drinks. ● Butter (Noho) – Not only is this a truly great place to get sloshed on Mondays, I am now excited to admit it. There’s a cool, younger crowd that’s mixing in on Mondays and adding a bit of an edge to the festivities. Worth a Look: ● Black & White (Greenwich Village) – Restaurant becomes cramped, sexy, and very cozy during the holidays after ten. ● Warren 77(Tribeca) – Just right for football fans with a bit more flair. ● Johnny Utah’s (Midtown West) Those huge TVs! It’s like a co-ed college party for industry folks (and half of them are not watching football). ● Diesel Presents Danny Clark’s Monday Nights at The Ainsworth. It’s hosted every Monday Night by Giants Linebacker Danny Clark, and admission to the football party includes cocktails, beer, and food. All proceeds are 100% tax deductible and support the Danny Clark Foundation. Meh. ● Antik (Greenwich Village) – Okay, so Le Royale’s former party isn’t actually in Antik, it’s in the basement of Antik. We swung into the small, rock ‘n’ roll space it was small enough to feel really full, even on a slow night. Naturally, it heats up on the late side, after Monday Night Football has dissolved. Go to make friends.

TUESDAY

Lowdown: Gramercy has sharpened its edge, with a little help from Nur and a new resto. Hot Now: ● Rose Bar (Gramercy) – This really has a lot to do with Nur Khan, and now the music enthusiast is upping his game with Nur Kahn’s Rose Bar Sessions, featuring a band every Tuesday night. But they are secret shows. So shh. ● Maialino (Gramercy) – Now you can eat, stay, and party the whole way through the GPH. ● Avenue (Chelsea) – People were astounded to find this place under our Tuesday heading: “Duh, the hot nights are Monday and Wednesday, obvi.” Those people are right, but those people have never known the true Bea. And really, Avenue is good every night — right? ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – Right around the corner, the one-of-a-kind kids get the spillage of displaced hipster kids, who can’t decide between one gilded lounge or the other. Again, people agreed to disagree — and with a name like “Tight Jean Tuesday,” we know Jay-Z’s knots don’t fit. Others to try: Superdive(East Village) – Dear Santa: I would like kegs of champagne for Christmas, wheeled out to me by elves. Thanks. ● Simyone (Meatpacking District) – Might be able to add another notch on its belt; Tuesdays are hot at SL. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – Green is for garland and mistletoe! And Vodka!

WEDNESDAY

Lowdown: Hump day may prove to be a weekday favorite for the holiday season. Hot Now: ● Le Cubain (Lower East Side) – Great spot for pre-drinks and cheap eat with babes with bangs in boots and vintage fur coats. Maybe even make it downstairs for a Chloe revival — so cozy for the winter season. ● 1Oak (Chelsea) – This is still 1Oak’s undisputed hot night. ● Greenhouse (Soho) – This one is in the basement, kids. Well, it’s in the whole of Greenhouse, but it’s better down below. ● Avenue (Chelsea) – Again, Avenue. But this is a raging night for the kids on the Ave. ● SL (Meatpacking District) – Tonight is the night for this Aalex Julian-guarded door. Worth a Look: ● Southside (Nolita) – Tutti, Franco, and Brion run the DJ booth. If you think you know, you have no idea. ● Eldridge (Lower East Side) – Rock and roll, yes. ● Von (Noho) – Party in the basement is “pretty packed and a lot of fun” for the Noho set after 10pm. ● Coffee Shop (Union Square) – One of the true day clubs, chocked full of promoters networking via text message; the basement named USL will be making random appearances throughout the week.

THURSDAY

Lowdown: This is Manhattanites’ Friday night, which could explain why Butter is moving their dancey Friday party — Whipped — to Thursdays come 2010. Dancing, dinner, glitz, and even some glam, without the B&T jam. Hot Now: ● CV (Lower East Side) – Something has finally been done with the oversaturated spot formerly known as 105 Rivington. Hopefully Amanda Leigh will continue with the feel good vibes and attract a good, loyal crowd. ● BEast (Chinatown) – Main Man, Ryan McGinley’s night of debauchery, is still in swing. Expect a Misshape or two, Sophia Lamar, and a band of insiders. ● subMercer(Soho) – You may have forgotten about this celeb-laden underground, but she’s back. Worth a Look:Avenue, Boom Boom Room and 1Oak are still a great standby for good times, while the down belows — USL (down below Coffee Shop) and Macao’s basement opium den are also a great place to begin your holiday descent. Coming Up: ● Butter (Noho) – Friday-night party Whipped is so fresh, most can’t believe it’s Butter. Resident hipster DJs Matt & Maia draw out big name fashion folks like Alexander Wang and the Ronsons.

FRIDAY

Lowdown: It used to be a day of rest for jaded New Yorkers, but since we’ve stopped bleeding moola, Friday’s a great day to cut loose. Civetta bit the dust for a bit, as we look to Santos’ Party House to bring it with their OPEN party. Hot Now: ● Boom Boom Room (Meatpacking District) – You probably won’t make it in like the rest of the plebeians (us included), but if you could, this would be the night to go. ● The Standard Grill (Meatpacking District) – What’s that, didn’t make it in to Boom? Luckily, the Grill is jumping with everyone else who tried their luck and are now eating duck (or crow); even the most beautiful, classy folks gather here, so it’s a hotspot nonetheless. Worth a Look: ● Home Sweet Home (Lower East Side) – Jonathan Toubin brings the fairly popular New York Night Train to this little living room on Friday nights. ● Santos’ Party House (Chinatown) – A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip. Upstairs. Funk.

Other Parties to Keep the Holidays Rolling: With Cafe Gitane in the Jane Hotel, the café with a devoted following in Nolita has taken root. And even better news? The Jane will be reopening the dancefloor to a bevvy of dance eccentrics and poseurs. If you are entertaining some out-of-towners on the weekends, Friday and Saturday nights at Highbar offers a nice (warm) view of the city. Fully heated and enclosed by glass windows — you don’t have to worry about the weather. Kittichai at 60 Thompson has just introduced three- and four-course prix fixe modern Thai menus for reasonably priced holiday meals. These are set menus served family style and available for 6 to 35 guests. A loophole to avoid Aunt Mildred’s meat pie!